Volleyball: Young Cougars learn at district tourney

COVINGTON — Central Kitsap’s volleyball team huddled together on the court shortly after losing to Union High of Vancouver, smiles mixed with tear-stained cheeks as the Cougars’ season ended with a 3-1 loss to the Titans at the Class 4A West Central/Southwest District volleyball tournament Friday night.

Moments after the loss, the Cougars showed their youthful resiliency outside the locker room at Kentwood High School — all smiles and laughter as they serenaded teammate Lexie Downey for her birthday.

It was a successful season by all accounts for Central Kitsap (8-10), which returned just one starter, setter Erin Kollars, from last year and had a first-year coach in Michelle Miller.

“Honestly, I couldn’t have had a better group of girls,” Miller said. “I know that sounds corny, but I’ve never said that before. This group of girls is really awesome and really trusted three young girls coming in and taking over a program after (Gordy Bushaw) had been there for 30 years.”

The season is bigger than their final two losses at district, Miller said.

CK lost its opener to Emerald Ridge 3-0 (25-16, 25-17, 25-13) before facing the Titans in a loser-out game.

As expected, the Cougars showed their inexperience at times. Unforced errors and mental lapses led to free points for the Titans, but more often than not the Cougars were able to regroup and come back.

Sophomore Kjersten Hillers said consistency was key and something they can continue to work on for next season.

“Keeping the energy and emotion up,” she said are points of emphasis during the offseason.

CK lost the opening game 25-15 and looked out-of-sorts against Union. But in the second game, CK’s defense picked up its play to take a 21-16 lead. At game point, Taija Rice served and a dig by libero Alex Beck led to a kill by Kelsey Stock for the game winner, 25-18 to even the match 1-1.

But it would turn out to be the decisive third game that helped Union get past the Cougars.

The game went back and forth with neither team gaining an edge by more than three points. With Union leading 22-19, CK battled back to tie it at 22 on a kill by Rice off a nice set by Kollars. Union took the lead on a missed serve by CK and, after a long rally at game point, the Titans’ Megan LaFond’s kill ended the hotly contested game, 25-22.

“It’s hard when you give so many points away,” Miller said. “I think that third game was key.”

Union held the momentum in the fourth game, going up 23-16 and holding off a late rally by CK to survive and advance, 25-21.

“It’s stressful, but you need to push through and keep your team united,” Hillers said.

Kollars said a more experienced team facing that kind of pressure could rally, but she knows her teammates gave it their all.

“The quality of play (we had) and that we got here with so many new players and a new coach, that’s a successful season,” she said. “I had so much fun.”

Miller said she was impressed with CK’s overall composure.

“Those girls have never played under pressure against the higher seeds,” she said. “For them to experience what it’s like to be a leader and have to carry a team, I just think it’s something really valuable for them next year.”